Sox make Lowell an offer  —  3-year deal worth $12-15M per … ORLANDO, Fla. - The Red Sox [team stats] made what one club source yesterday called a "really strong" three-year guaranteed offer between $12 million and $15 million per year to Mike Lowell at the just-concluded general managers meetings.

Mets GM Minaya wants to acquire frontline starter  —  ORLANDO, Fla. - The Mets departed the general managers' meetings yesterday cautiously optimistic that they'll have a chance to pursue their greatest offseason desire.  —  No, not Alex Rodriguez.  A frontline starting pitcher.

Players' union worried about collusion over A-Rod  —  ORLANDO, Fla. — The baseball players' union is worried commissioner Bud Selig is trying to hold down the price of Alex Rodriguez's next contract and that teams might be sharing information about their free-agent plans.

Torre will write book on Yankee years  —  Joe Torre's messy divorce from the Yankees seemed as if it were covered more extensively than the last presidential election.  But for those who need more of the lurid details and wish to relive the glory of the "Torre Era" in the Bronx …

11 free agents in Mitchell report  —  ORLANDO — Player agents who attended yesterday's union meeting in New York were told that 11 current free agent players are named in the George Mitchell report on the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball, which could come out sometime around …

Giving up closing role tough for Myers  —  Starter-turned-reliever understands Phillies need him back in rotation  —  When he threw the pitch Sept. 30 that clinched the Phillies' first division title since 1993, Brett Myers, a starter all his life, fell in love with being a closer.

Nationals interested in Andruw Jones  —  Gold Glover still unsure about where he will play next season  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals would like free agent Andruw Jones to be their center fielder in 2008.  Would Jones like to be a member of the Nationals?  All he would say is, he has not made any decisions about his future.

Rays usher in new era with new identity  —  Costner leads celebration introducing franchise's altered image  —  ST. PETERSBURG — A palpable vibe reflecting a new beginning resonated throughout Straub Park on Thursday afternoon, where the Devil Rays officially became the Rays …

Boras continues to be champion of manipulating media  —  Just as it was with the Yankees, there is a prevailing opinion, presented as fact in the media, that it will benefit the Mets to overpay Alex Rodriguez because his presence would increase the value - and significantly enhance the ratings - of SportsNet New York.

Marlins targeting Torrealba to fill need at catcher  —  Colorado Rockies' Yorvit Torrealba (front) and Manny Corpas watch from the dugout during the ninth inning of Game 4 of the baseball World Series against the Boston Red Sox.  (AP Photo/David J. Phillip / October 28, 2007)

Ordonez named Tiger of the Year  —  Prolific season one of the best in club history  —  DETROIT — This was one MVP-type award where Magglio Ordonez didn't have to worry about Alex Rodriguez.  —  The Detroit chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America made its Tiger …